Madonna Then & Now: Photos Of The Music Icon When She Was Young To Today

                                                                                                          By:
                                                                                                          August 16, 2023 12:30PM EDT
                                                                                                          Madonna
                                                                                                          Shutterstock

                                                                                                          There really is no one like Madonna. Whether it’s her fashion sense or her music, the talented Pop Queen has a style and sound all her own. Over the years, she’s continued to innovate, going from a dance music star in the ’80s to one of the most recognized vocalists of all time.

                                                                                                          Madonna first broke onto the scene in the early ‘80s with hit songs like ‘Holiday,’ ‘Borderline’, and more. It wasn’t before long that her 1984 album ‘Like A Virgin’ catapulted her into pop music icon status. The star never shied away from controversy, causing outrage with her music videos for ‘Like A Prayer’ and later on in the ’90s with ‘Justify My Love’.

                                                                                                          The ‘Material Girl’ is still making music and moves in the entertainment industry, with a huge tour set to kick off in 2023. Unfortunately, though, her tour was delayed on June 28, 2023 when her manager, Guy Oseary, announced that she had suffered a medical complication. A full recovery was made and she kicked off her ‘Celebration’ tour in London in October 2023. Check out the gallery to see photos of Madonna over the years!

                                                                                                           

                                                                                                          1 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna Through The Years

                                                                                                          Madonna Through The Years
                                                                                                          Keith Butler/REX/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          There really is no one like Madonna. Whether it’s her fashion sense or her music, the talented Pop Queen has a style and sound all her own. Over the years, she’s continued to innovate, going from a dance music star in the ’80s to one of the most recognized vocalists of all time.

                                                                                                          Madonna first broke onto the scene in the early ‘80s with hit songs like ‘Holiday,’ ‘Borderline’, and more. It wasn’t before long that her 1984 album ‘Like A Virgin’ catapulted her into pop music icon status. The star never shied away from controversy, causing outrage with her music videos for ‘Like A Prayer’ and later on in the ’90s with ‘Justify My Love’.

                                                                                                          The ‘Material Girl’ is still making music and moves in the entertainment industry, with a huge tour set to kick off in 2023. Unfortunately, though, her tour was delayed on June 28, 2023 when her manager, Guy Oseary, announced that she had suffered a medical complication.

                                                                                                          ‘On Saturday, June 24, Madonna developed a serious bacterial infection which led to a several-day stay in the ICU,’ the statement began. ‘Her health is improving. However, she is still under medical care. A full recovery is expected. At this time, we will need to pause all commitments, which includes the tour. We will share more details with you as soon as we have them, including a new start date for the tour and for rescheduled shows.’

                                                                                                          As Madonna’s health continues to improve, check out images of her through the years! 

                                                                                                          August 16, 2018, 9:44AM
                                                                                                          2 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna Performing

                                                                                                          Madonna Performing
                                                                                                          AP/REX/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Actress and singer Madonna sings on stage at the JFK Stadium in Philadelphia during the Live Aid concert in 1985. She looked great on stage and belted out some of her biggest early hits at the show.

                                                                                                          August 16, 2018, 9:44AM
                                                                                                          3 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna Hanging Out In 1983

                                                                                                          Madonna Hanging Out In 1983
                                                                                                          Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Madonna hanging out in 1983. Her fashion sense was perfect for the time, as she wore an off-the-shoulder top, high ponytail and headband.  

                                                                                                          May 22, 2020, 12:42PM
                                                                                                          4 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards

                                                                                                          Madonna at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards
                                                                                                          Globe Photos/mediapunch/Shutters

                                                                                                          Madonna attends the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards. She wore this white, lace dress with belt that said “Boy Toy!” Of course, her hair was in the perfect curly updo for the times, and she completed the look with glamorous white gloves.

                                                                                                          May 22, 2020, 12:42PM
                                                                                                          5 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna In Promotional Photo for ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’

                                                                                                          Madonna In Promotional Photo for ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’
                                                                                                          Herb Ritts/Orion/Kobal/Shutterst

                                                                                                          Madonna poses for a promotional photo for ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ in 1985. She looked so ’80s, by even wearing a bow atop her head and a string of long necklaces.

                                                                                                          May 22, 2020, 12:28PM
                                                                                                          6 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna Smiles During Filming of ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’

                                                                                                          Madonna Smiles During Filming of ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’
                                                                                                          Orion/Kobal/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Madonna shows off her smile while filming ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ in 1985. She looked so great with her curly hair framing her face and a bandana headband across the top of her head.

                                                                                                          May 22, 2020, 12:28PM
                                                                                                          7 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna in ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’

                                                                                                          Madonna in ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’
                                                                                                          Orion/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Madonna in ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ in 1985. She is as much an accomplished actress as she is a singer, and she put on a stellar performance in the film.

                                                                                                          August 16, 2018, 9:44AM
                                                                                                          8 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna in Concert 1987

                                                                                                          Madonna in Concert 1987
                                                                                                          Globe Photos/Mediapunch/Shutters

                                                                                                          Madonna performs in concert in 1987. She belted out her hit tunes and looked like Marilyn Monroe as she took the stage for the buzzed-about show.

                                                                                                          May 22, 2020, 12:27PM
                                                                                                          9 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna with Warren Beatty

                                                                                                          Madonna with Warren Beatty
                                                                                                          Keith Butler/REX/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Madonna and Warren Beatty arriving and leaving her end of tour party at the Palace Nightclub in New York in June 1990. Madonna showed off her fierce, thick eyebrows with her hair pulled back into a tight ponytail.

                                                                                                          August 16, 2018, 9:44AM
                                                                                                          10 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna Jams Out While Performing In London

                                                                                                          Madonna Jams Out While Performing In London
                                                                                                          Eugene Adebari/REX/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Madonna performs during her ‘Blonde Ambition’ tour at Wembley Stadium in London in July 1990. She completely jammed out in her iconic costume, which featured a corset-style dress.

                                                                                                          August 16, 2018, 9:44AM
                                                                                                          11 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna performing in Los Angeles

                                                                                                          Madonna performing in Los Angeles
                                                                                                          Kevork Djansezian/AP/REX/Shutter

                                                                                                          Madonna belts out a song after removing her jacket during the opening night of her ‘Blonde Ambition’ tour concert in Los Angeles. She wore her iconic cone bra beneath and had her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail.

                                                                                                          August 16, 2018, 9:44AM
                                                                                                          12 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna During Her ‘Blonde Ambition’ tour

                                                                                                          Madonna During Her ‘Blonde Ambition’ tour
                                                                                                          Eugene Adebari/REX/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Madonna performs during her ‘Blonde Ambition’ tour at Wembley Stadium, London in July 1990. She struck a pose during her set and wore an all black outfit with sheer slit across her stomach.

                                                                                                          August 16, 2018, 9:44AM
                                                                                                          13 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 1998

                                                                                                          Madonna at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 1998
                                                                                                          Sipa/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Madonna at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Milan on Nov. 12, 1998. She held her statuette with a lot of pride and debuted a much darker hairstyle at the event.

                                                                                                          May 22, 2020, 12:28PM
                                                                                                          14 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna’s Life Poses at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2005

                                                                                                          Madonna’s Life Poses at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2005
                                                                                                          Andre Kosters/Epa/REX/Shuttersto

                                                                                                          Madonna poses on the stage as she attends the 2005 MTV Europe Music Awards on November 3, 2005 in the Atlantic Pavillion in Lisbon Portugal Lisbon. She looked great in this purple leather jacket and her little leotard!

                                                                                                          August 16, 2018, 9:44AM
                                                                                                          15 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna at the ‘I’m Going To Tell You A Secret’ Film Premiere

                                                                                                          Madonna at the ‘I’m Going To Tell You A Secret’ Film Premiere
                                                                                                          Nikos Vinieratos/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Madonna attends the ‘I’m Going To Tell You A Secret’ film premiere in London on Nov. 29, 2005. Madonna glanced at photographers before departing the event. 

                                                                                                          May 22, 2020, 12:28PM
                                                                                                          16 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna at the ‘Revolver’ Film Screening

                                                                                                          Madonna at the ‘Revolver’ Film Screening
                                                                                                          Henry Lamb/BEI/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Madonna at the ‘Revolver’ film screening in New York on Dec. 2, 2007. She looked so regal in her coat and was caught by paparazzi as she left the winter event.

                                                                                                          May 22, 2020, 12:28PM
                                                                                                          17 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna in Concert In 2012

                                                                                                          Madonna in Concert In 2012
                                                                                                          MediaPunch/REX/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Madonna in concert at The MGM Grand Resort in Las Vegas on Oct. 13, 2012. She looked incredible in her outfit, which was a much different look from her onstage look in the 80s.

                                                                                                          August 16, 2018, 9:44AM
                                                                                                          18 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna Performing In Las Vegas

                                                                                                          Madonna Performing In Las Vegas
                                                                                                          MediaPunch/REX/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Madonna in concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Oct. 24, 2015. She looked incredible during her performance while wearing a black dress and red coat.

                                                                                                          August 16, 2018, 9:44AM
                                                                                                          19 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna at the Billboard Women in Music Awards

                                                                                                          Madonna at the Billboard Women in Music Awards
                                                                                                          Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Madonna at the Billboard Women in Music awards in New York on Dec. 9, 2016. She wore this colorful blazer with a gold bow choker at the event, where she was honored as one of the most influential women in music.

                                                                                                          May 22, 2020, 12:28PM
                                                                                                          20 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna at the 2016 Met Gala

                                                                                                          Madonna at the 2016 Met Gala
                                                                                                          Stephen Lovekin/REX/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Madonna at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Benefit Celebrating the Opening of Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology on May 2, 2016. Madonna rocked this black ensemble with a number of cutouts. 

                                                                                                          August 16, 2018, 9:44AM
                                                                                                          21 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna at the 2017 Met Gala

                                                                                                          Madonna at the 2017 Met Gala
                                                                                                          Rob Latour/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Madonna attends the The Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between on May 1, 2017. She rocked this colorful, structured gown designed by Moschino.

                                                                                                          May 22, 2020, 12:47PM
                                                                                                          22 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna at the 2018 Met Gala

                                                                                                          Madonna at the 2018 Met Gala
                                                                                                          Erik Pendzich/REX/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Madonna at the The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination on May 7, 2018. She really went for the event’s theme! 

                                                                                                          August 16, 2018, 1:53PM
                                                                                                          23 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna at the Met Gala in 2018

                                                                                                          Madonna at the Met Gala in 2018
                                                                                                          David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Madonna at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination on May 7, 2018. Her entire outfit looked incredible.

                                                                                                          August 16, 2018, 1:53PM
                                                                                                          24 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna at the MTV Video Music Awards

                                                                                                          Madonna at the MTV Video Music Awards
                                                                                                          Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Madonna at the MTV Video Music Awards Press Room in New York on Aug. 20, 2018. She wore this Temperley London Kimono and a head piece that had everyone talking.

                                                                                                          May 22, 2020, 12:28PM
                                                                                                          25 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna at the Billboard Music Awards in 2019

                                                                                                          Madonna at the Billboard Music Awards in 2019
                                                                                                          Rob Latour/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Madonna performs at the Billboard Music Awards in May 2019. She wore a custom made Erdem ensemble.

                                                                                                          May 22, 2020, 12:27PM
                                                                                                          26 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna In London In 2020

                                                                                                          Madonna In London In 2020
                                                                                                          Blitz Pictures/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Party girl! Madonna hangs out in London on Feb. 15, 2020. She used a walking cane, following a knee injury.

                                                                                                          June 22, 2022, 10:53AM
                                                                                                          27 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna Goes to Craig’s

                                                                                                          Madonna Goes to Craig’s
                                                                                                          ShotbyNYP / BACKGRID

                                                                                                          Madonna looks chic in blue as she is spotted leaving dinner with friends at celebrity hot spot Craig’s in West Hollywood on Apr. 30, 2021. The star was simply ageless in a blue 3-piece pants suit with black boots and a blue crocodile skin purse. She finished the look with a pair of trendy black glasses and necklaces around her neck.

                                                                                                          June 22, 2022, 10:56AM
                                                                                                          28 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna Heads To The Nice Guy

                                                                                                          Madonna Heads To The Nice Guy
                                                                                                          BACKGRID

                                                                                                          Madonna looks stylish as she enjoys a night out at The Nice Guy on May 17, 2022. She wore silky boxer shorts with fishnets, a trenchcoat, combat boots, and fishnet tights.

                                                                                                          June 22, 2022, 10:55AM
                                                                                                          29 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna After The 2021 VMAs

                                                                                                          Madonna After The 2021 VMAs
                                                                                                          PapCulture / BACKGRID

                                                                                                          Madonna wasn’t afraid to be over the top rocking a white wedding veil with a sexy black lace bodysuit as she left a VMA’s after-party hosted by Doja Cat at 1 Oak in New York on Sep. 13, 2021. Fishnets and heels completed the ensemble.

                                                                                                          June 22, 2022, 10:55AM
                                                                                                          30 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna & A Friend Get Dinner

                                                                                                          Madonna & A Friend Get Dinner
                                                                                                          Maciel-Ngre / BACKGRID

                                                                                                          Madonna looks stylish in pink shorts and a Balenciaga top as she enjoys a night out at The Nice guy with a friend in June of 2022. She wore pink shorts, tons of jewelry, and a Balenciaga sweater.

                                                                                                          June 22, 2022, 10:56AM
                                                                                                          31 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna & David In 2022

                                                                                                          Madonna & David In 2022
                                                                                                          BACKGRID

                                                                                                          Madonna’s son David Banda towered over the pop star during a 2022 trip out of  New York’s JFK airport. He rocked a black Tonight Show pullover and diamond chains which matched his mom’s.

                                                                                                          January 24, 2023, 1:09PM
                                                                                                          32 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna & David At JFK

                                                                                                          Madonna & David At JFK
                                                                                                          BACKGRID

                                                                                                          Madonna was flying in style in Aug. 2022, when she and son David Banda left JFK. She wore a mesh top and Adidas sweatpants while making her way through security.

                                                                                                          January 24, 2023, 1:09PM
                                                                                                          33 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna In South Beach

                                                                                                          Madonna In South Beach
                                                                                                          MEGA / BACKGRID

                                                                                                          Madonna looked super sexy while out in South Beach, Miami for Art Basel in Dec. 2022. She wore a risqué black lace ensemble and edgy orange braids while partying with her daughter Lourdes Leon.

                                                                                                          January 24, 2023, 1:09PM
                                                                                                          34 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna performing at an NFT promo concert

                                                                                                          Madonna performing at an NFT promo concert
                                                                                                          Steve Sands/NewYorkNewswire/Baue

                                                                                                          Madonna rocked this fishnet top & fishnet tights while performing at an NFT promo concert in New York on June 24, 2022.

                                                                                                          August 16, 2023, 9:44AM
                                                                                                          35 of 36

                                                                                                          Madonna-gallery-social

                                                                                                          Madonna-gallery-social
                                                                                                          Shutterstock
                                                                                                          September 26, 2023, 8:13PM
                                                                                                          36 of 36

                                                                                                          madonna-gallery-social

                                                                                                          madonna-gallery-social
                                                                                                          Shutterstock
                                                                                                          October 11, 2023, 6:31PM